Box blank folding machine



Nov. 13, 1951 w. E. BowERsocK I ,5

BOX BLANK FOLDING MACHINE v Filed Feb. 1, 1947 I s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. M1564 f. ZOh/[IPJOCA BY 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 1951 w. E. BowERsocK BOX BLANK FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1, 1947 w. E. BOWERSOCK 2,574,527

BOX BLANK FOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 13, 1951 Filed Feb. 1, 1947 INVENTOR. M1552 304 5950 BY H/J ATTOR/Vf) 1951 w. E. BowERsocK BOX BLANK FOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 1, 1947 IN VEN TOR. M155? 5 30h [EJOCK W. E. BOWERSOCK BOX BLANK FOLDING MACHINE Nov. 13, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 1, 1947 IN VEN TOR. Mum [T flow/250m BY H/J ATTOQAEY Nov. 13, 195] w. E. BOWERSOCK BOX BLANK FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVEN TOR. W/wm f. 50h fEJOC/f l/l; A 7' TOENE Y Patented Nov. 13, 151

UNITED STATES RATENT OFFICE BOX BLANK, FOLDING MACHINE Wilber Bcwersock, Rochester, N. Y.

Application February 1, 1947, Serial No. 725,958.

25 Claims.

This invention relatesto machines for folding box blanks made of corrugated or other. cardboard material and, more particularly, to machines for folding the side portions or flaps of a scored blank inwardly and downwardly against its intermediate or body portion, in fiat condition, with the edges in;meetingre-lationfor attachment to each other. by stitching, taping or the like.

lhe machinesof the-priorv art have commonly involved the movement of the blank throughthe machineby feed rolls-a ainst stationary inclined forming; guides for, folding the side portions, or, flaps, with substantial resulting frictional resist.- ance, requiring feed roll pressures tending to crush and injure the blank, material, Other machines have employed cumbersome carrier chains formoving the blanks, or been lacking in speed. andfprecision, or been subject to other objectional features, One object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide animproved machine of the-above character having. a. more simple, practical and trouble-free type of con. struction.

The foldingof such blanks has heretofore. presented particular difficulties, at the, point at whichthe side. portions or flaps are folded flat so asto bend the materialsharply upon itself at an angle of about 180,gsinc e the material becomes bunched in the bite of the bend and tends to deflect the line of bend out of the line of scoring provided for its guidanca with the result that the meeting edges are notparallel, ormay even overlap, so as to produce an inaccurate box; Another object of the inVention therefore, is to provide an improved machine havingmeans, for positively controlling, and confining the bending of the material to the score line provided to guidethe-folding. and thus produce a more accurate box.

Another object is the provision of an improved machine capable of producing moreacourately folded blanks at a higher rate of production.

A. further, object is to provide a machine ca.- pable of being more conveniently adjustedfor the reception of blanks of varying sizes and shapes.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and, combinations of partaall as will be. hereinafter more f lly dcw scribed, the, novel features, being pointed out in th c aimsat theend thesp cifi ation In th d a n s:

l is a top plan view of a machine embodying the present invention;

2' an enlarged s de elevation o the same;

2, Fig. 3 is an end elevation as viewed from the left in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly broken away, showing the blanks in successive stages of folding by a reciprocating blank pushing means, blank folding means and blank squaring and stripping means; i

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a modified form of, blank squaring means;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the blank guideway and pushing means;

Fig. '7 isa fragmentary side elevationbf the same;

Fig. 8 is a section on theline 8-8 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view ofa portion of a blank engaging member on, the blankv pushing means shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation on the line Ill-4i) in Fig. lshowing operating means for the squaring bar;

Fig. 11, is a sectional elevation on the, line I Il I in Fig 1 showing a hopper gate finger and associated parts;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line i2i2 in Fig. 1 showing an adjustable hopper side flange, and

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on the line iii-J3 in Fig. 11.

The embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, by way of illustration, comprises a ma-v chine having mainframe supported on four corner standards or legs 20, connected by upper side rails 2|, lower side rails 22, upper end rails 23 and lower end rails 24, providing supports for other parts hereafter referred to. The front or hopper end of themachine, shown at the top in Fig. 1 and at the right in Fig. 2, has on either side a pair of upwardly and outwardly extending braces 25 (Figs. 2 and 3), the upper ends of each pair of which support longitudinally extending auxiliary rails 26, (Figs. 1 and 2), provided with rack bars 2?. Heads Hand 29 at opposite, sides of the machine, respectively, are connected with each other and each encloses apair, of'pinions (not shown) meshing with and rolling on the racks 2? to support the heads for adjustment toward and from an inclined plate 38, forming the front wallcf thehopper for a stack of blanks to be folded.v Fixed to and connecting the heads is a transversely, extending angle beam 3| (Figs. 1 and, 2;),and a, transverse shaft 32 (Fig. 3) COR? nectscorresponding pinions inthe heads: to in,- sure equalized movementof the heads and; beam for varying the longitudinal dimension or length ofthe hopper. Head, 29vv comprises means, such as an electric motor, 32a,for rotating shaft 32.

A scale 33 is provided on one of the rails 2'5 to indicate such adjustment.

f'he hopper width is controlled by side walls or flanges 31% carried by brackets 35 slidabie lengthwise on beam 3i and each provided with a spindie 36 carrying a pinion meshing with rack bar 32 on the top of the beam, the upper ends of the spindles being provided with small hand wheels, as shown, for adjusting the side walls 34 toward and from each other in accordance with the width of particular blanks. Each bracket 35 carries a pointer, as 38, movable over a scale 35) on the beam to indicate the extent of adjustment, as further referred to hereafter. The bot tom of the hopper is formed by a pair of outer bars 553 and a pair of spaced inner rails 4!, both fixed on the main frame, the rails 4| extending longitudinally of the machine and forming a guideway over which the blanks are slidable through a feed gate on beam 3!, as hereafter described.

The height of the hopper feed gate above the guideway rails ii is preferably adjusted by means comprising a plurality of pairs of rearwardly and downwardly inclined, gib-like plates 42 fixed to and supported on the front side of beam 35 (Figs. 2 and 11), each pair being located above one of the guide rails, 4|. The plates in each pair are spaced for receiving and guiding therebetween a gate finger 53 the lower end of Which is slidably retained between the gib plates by a bar M connecting the plates across the finger and by a bar 35 fixed to the finger and extendingover the plates. The upper end of the gate finger is supported and adjusted by means comprising a bearing block 48 fixed on it and extending at its ends over the backs of the gib plates. Rotatably supported in each block is a spindle if, the lower end of which is threadedly engaged in a hole in the beam 3!. The upper end of each spindle is provided with a hand wheel 48, the rotation of which adjusts the gate finger toward and from the adjacent guide rail 1!. Fixed on each finger is a resilient presser strip or shoe 49, in the nature of a leaf spring, the forward end of which is thus adjustably spaced from the adjacent guide rail M, to correspond with the thickness of the blanks, by the above described adjustment of the finger gate, and the lower blank of the stack is fed, by means hereafter described, through the gate and between the shoes 49 and the rails 49 on which they are slidably held by the shoes and the additional means hereafter described. Shoes 49 may be connected with each other by an arched strap 49a, as shown, to preserve their alinement.

The means for feeding or moving the blanks comprises, preferably, an elongated, rectangular frame 56 (Figs. 1, 4 and 6), made of light metal tubing, with longitudinal side bars connected centrally and at their rear ends by pairs of spaced cross bars 52 and 53, respectively. The forward ends of the side bars are connected by a plate 54, for a purpose hereafter described, and the frame is stiffened by inclined braces 55. The side bars 5! are slidably supported and guided on gibs, each comprising a brass angle bar 56 (Fig. 8), fixed to a brass plate 5; projecting at its upper edge above the bar 56 and both fixed to a structural bar 58 extending longitudinally between the upper end rails 23 of the frame and supporting the guide rails M, the pusher frame being reciprocated on these gibs by means hereafter de-- scribed.

At the forward end of the blank pusher frame, its transverse plate 54 carries a series of hinge 4 knuckles 59 between which are pivotally mounted three sheet metal dogs 6!] having generally flat top surfaces and forward ends 6| turned down wardly for engagement with leaf springs 62 fixed on the frame bars 58, in the forward position of the dogs, as shown in Fig. 6, in which position the dogs are pressed upwardly, between and beside the guide rails 4|, for engagement with the bottom of the stack of blanks in the hopper. The upper surface of each dog has fixed thereon a cleat 63, the edges of which are inclined upwardly and rearwardly, the rear edge having a series of teeth 64 for engagement in the interstices of a corrugated board between the facing sheets thereof, the cleat being of less thickness or height than the blank to be folded.

In the forward movement of the pusher frame, with the dogs 80 pressed upwardly by springs 62, the cleats 63 pass under and just beyond the stack of blanks and, on the return movement of the frame, engage the forward edge of the bottom blank and push it rearwardly through the hopper gate, the blanks above the lowermost one being retained by the gate fingers described above. As the dogs move rearwardly out of engagement with the spring 62, they are held raised by engagement with the edge of the blank while the latter is being pushed to the first folding station. On the return movement of the frame, however, the cleats 63 are'disengaged from the blank and the dogs drop by gravity so as to pass under the blanks until again raised by the springs 62 for engaging and advancing the next blank to be folded.

Adjacent the longitudinal center of the pusher frame, a dog 65 has lugs 66 pivotally surrounding the forward cross brace 52, and the rear edge of the dog is bent downwardly to form a shoulder 51, the lower edge of which is partly curved forwardly, as at 68, for engagement under the adjacent cross brace 52 to limit the upward pivotal movement of the dog. A part of the lower edge of shoulder 61 is extended downwardly, as at 69, for engagement with a leaf spring ill fixed at H on the beam 58 of the frame, for yieldably raising the dog to the position shown in Fig. 7 in the forward position of the pusher frame. The dog 65 is thus positioned for engaging the forward edge of a blank previously delivered to the first folding station by the dogs 60 and for pushing it rearwardly to a second folding station as the pusher frame is reciprocated toward the rear. During such movement the dog moves away from the spring id but is retained in elevated position by frictional engagement with the edge of the blank until disengaged by the return movement of the frame, when the dOg falls by gravity to lowered position so as to pass freely under the succeeding blank and is again raised to engage it by the sprin 10.

An additional dog 12 is similarly constructed with lugs pivotally engaging one of the rear cross braces 53 of the pusher frame. Shoulder f3 of this dog has a depending stoplug i l for engagement with the adjacent cross brace 53 and a depending finger T5 for engagement with a similar leaf spring 76 fixed on the frame. This dog is preferably slotted, as at l'l, to clear a vertical squaring plate and stripper bars here after described, and it is preferably provided, at opposite sides of this slot, with rearwardly extending fingers 78 arranged to rest upon and hold the downwardly folded side flaps of the blank. The operation of this dog is similar to 5 thatof dog 65, its. shoulder. 13: and. fingers. 18 being raised by the spring libiinthe forward position of the frame, for "engagement. with the;

forward edges of a blank stationarily-positioned at-the second folding station. On the rearward-:.

movement of the frame; this dog pushes the blank along the guide rails 4| under the presserv The folding stations referred to above are provided inconiunction with a -pair of folding frames supported on themain-frame, one on each side of the pair of guide rails Mandslidably movable towardTand-from-the latter to correspond: with the width of a blank to-be-folded. These frames, indicated generally at "la-and as (Figs, 1 and 3) preferably comprise horizontal'plates and flanges forming platform portions, indicated generally at iii and 82, each having an inner pairof relatively short corner legs tiiand an outer pair of'longer legs 84; All four of these legs have bearing openings for a pair of spaced, transversely extending rods, as 85-, fixedat'their ends on the-main frame to support each folding frame for adjustment in lateral directions. The longer outer legs 84- of each frame have openings threadedly engaged with a lower shaft 83 rotatably supported at he ends in suitable bearings on the mainframe, for rotation. means hereafter described; to laterally adjust the corresponding'foldingframe;

Each folding frame has along the inner side of its platform an angle-shaped guide rail 8'! i mounted on uprightsiia carried by the frame and extending parallel with the'guide rails 4!,

and at the same elevation. Each frame has fixed theretoalso a brace rod 59 fixed at its other end to the outerend of a tubular sleeve 9i! slidinglongitudinally on a cross rod 9| fixed at'its outer ends tothe-auxiliary side rails 25: The inner end of each sleeve 99 has fixed. thereto a resilient presser shoe in the form of an elongated leaf spring 92' arranged to bear against the upner-ssurfaceof blank. to hold it on the guide railstlofthe folding frame. Itisanparent' from this-construction that as each-frame is adjusted laterally, itsconnected: sleeve Silcorrespondingly adiustedon rod 93! and adjusts the p'resser shoe. 92 to maintain its'position above the corresponding guide rail 81'.

A blank to be folded is scored alongthe'lines 93-(Fig. 4;) to mark'offi side'nortions orflaps 94 tobe foldedupwardly, inwardly and downwardly and meansare provided at the-first foldina station for folding-these flaps upwardly to substantially vertical position, as shownin Fig. 4, cornorising on each folding frame, preferably, asubstantiallv spiral arm'95 fixedon the inner end of a spindle 9B extending horizontall inwardly from a gear housing 9'! on the foldinaframe. The gearing inthe housing for rotating thesearms is driven by a universally coupled shaft 98, extending. forwardly from fo ding means at the second folding station for folding the flaps, 9d inwardly and downwardlv a ainst t e intermediate body portion of the blank hereafter, described. Retainer rods 98a are provided; oneon each of the folding frames, for retaining the. folded flaps in vertical position while passing to the second. folding station, as useful more especially in the folding of short blanks:

At the second folding station each, folding 61, frame :carries 'a, gear housing 99. for driving the shaft-98f and also a vertically-extending spindle l00::to-which is fixedasubstantially spiral arm ml. The gearing in each housing'99 is driven'by a short shaft. I02 connecting itwithgearing in a rearward housing Hi3 on each folding frame, having a short shaftextending horiozntally outwardly and carrying a sprocket wheel I04 driven by. means hereafter described. As folding arms lfll care rotated in the direction of the arrows by the means described, they smoothly engage and folclthe outer side portions or flaps 94 of the blank, from the vertical position of the first folding station, inwardly and downwardly against the body ofthe blank, as shown in Fig. 4; in

conjunctionwith means for truing or squaring the-inwardly folded edges which will now be-described.

The means for truing or squaring the-flaps Mas-they are folded down againstthe body of therblank at the second folding station comprises, preferably, a vertical squaring partition or-plate "35 (Figs. 2 and'4) having slots I06 atthe ends of its upper edge slidably embracing screws I01 carried by a bar we on a pair of brackets [09 depending frorn a-housing. I Ill supported in elevated position. above the machine. This housing is mounted at its rearv end" on inclined struts. l H fixed to the rear end rail of the main frame, with an additionalstrut H2 extending forwardly'and downwardly from the lower front end of the housing and fixedito asleeve I I3 on the supporting rod 9! described above, so asto-firmly support the housing. Plate I 05 has its lower edge positioned to lie between the adjacentedges of the folded fiapsts, andspaced slightly above-the intermediate" body portion of the blank, so that the latter may be readily moved beneath it. As the flaps 94 are folded inwardly and downwardly as described, their-edges engage and are guided by the opposite sides of the plate which acts to force them into slightly. spaced, alined relation with each other, and means are provided for subsequently stripping the flap edges from the plate so that the blank-may be discharged from the machine as will'now bedescribed.

Themeansfcr stripping: the blank edges from thesquaring plate lfldcomprises, preferably, a pair of strippingzbars H4 adapted to slide-vertically in close contact with opposite sides of'the plate. Preferably, these bars are integrally constructedbyforming a single bar of material with a slot. closely fitting the opposite sides of the plate, as-shownl The stripping bars are-fixed on the lower ends ofa oair'of spaced rods I I5 rising vertically at the: ends of the plates, respectively; extending at their u per ends'through bear-.- ing' openings in the bottom of housing H0. Withinthe-housing, the upper ends of the rods are pivotally connected at H6 to short links 1, the otherends of which arepivotallyconnected at I! 8 to arms Illl fixed at their other ends-to a pair of meshing gears" [2d, respectively. The gears are rotatably mounted on trunnions supported by a stationary plate l2! in the housing, and one of the gears has fixed thereto also an arm I22 pivoted at 23 to a link I24 pivoted at its other end to an arm 25 fixed inside the housing on the end of the shaft 526 extending through the side of the-housing; outwardly to'one sideof the machine and supported for rockingmovement by-a, bearing- I2'! adjacent the housingan d by a bearing l28-at its other end'on a brace I29 on the main frame. This outerend of the shaft has'fixed thereon an arm l3!) pivotally connected to'the upper end of a pitman I 3I having its lower end connected to a crank arm I 32 on a shaft I33 extending across the rear end of the frame and supported in bearings thereon, as I34.

It is apparent from the above construction that as shaft I33 is rotated by means hereafter described, pitman I 3| will rock shaft I26 and the connected link I24 will oscillate the gears I20 to oscillate the arms II9 and uniformly raise and lower rods I I and the stripping bars I I4. These parts are shown in full lines in Fig. 2 in positions corresponding to the raised position of the stripper bars, while the positions shown in dotted lines correspond to the lowered position of the stripper bars. The movements of these parts are so coordinated with that of the blank pusher that dog 12 starts to push a blank out of the machine slightly before edges of the blank flaps 94 are stripped from the squaring plate I05, to effect an improved truing action, as hereafter described.

' The means for squaring the infolded flaps preferably comprises also a pair of squaring bars which are positively moved to press against the outside of the line of fold of the flaps, simultaneously with the downward folding of the same against the squaring plate, to positively and accurately confine the bending to the intended folding score line. These bars are shown at I35 (Fig. .1, 2, 3'and fixed on the upper ends of arms I 36 pivoted at their lower ends on the respective folding frames. One of these arms of each bar has connected thereto a compression spring I31 connected at its outer end with an arm I38 having its lower end pivotall mounted on the folding frame. Each arm I38 carries a roller I39 engaging a cam I40 fixed on the short shaft I02 which connects the gears in housings 98 and I03. Attached to the arm I38 also is a tension spring MI, the outer end of which is connected by a turnbuckle with the outer rail of the folding frame. I

It will be seen from this construction that as shaft I02 rotates, the high portion of its cam Will rock arm I38 and, through compression spring I31, will force each squaring bar I35 against the outside of the fold lines in the blank, the action of these parts being so timed that the bars engage the blank as its edges are forced down by the rotary spiral arms IIlI into engagement with the squaring plate 94, the folding of the flaps being thus positively confined between opposing surfaces at the edge and fold line of each flap, so that departure of the fold from the folding score line is eliminated and precise folding is assured. The parts are timed so that squaring bars I35 are withdrawn from contact with the'fold line at the instant the pusher frame beins its rearward movement. The stripping of the blank edges from the squaring plate 94, by the action of stripping bars H4, is somewhat delayed, as stated, so that the movement of the blank is started while its edges are still in engagement with the plate, as this has been found, under some circumstances, to add to the precision of the operation. If one of the blank flaps has lagged slightly behind so as to present a pro- Jecting edge toward the dog, the pressure of the dog tends to push the flap edge ahead and correct the alinement of the flap with the squaring plate, while if the flap is slightly advanced so that the end of its side edge nearest the dog bears more, closely against the squaring plate, the movement of the blank imposes a greater frictional drag on the edge of the flap nearest the dog which draws it back into proper posi- The mechanism for driving the blank pusher frame, the folding arms and the stripping and squaring bars comprises, preferably, a pulley I42 on a shaft I43 (Fig. 2), rotating in bearings, as I44, on the main frame and driven by an electric motor (not shown) mounted on an inner lower portion of the frame. Pulley I42 has a belt connection I45 with a pulley I46 fixed on a shaft I41 extending about half way across the main frame (Fig. 3) and supported thereon in bearings I48 and I49, the latter bearing being mounted on a post I50 rising from a rail I5! carried by hanger straps I52 depending from the main frame. Shaft I41 has fixed thereon a sprocket wheel I53 connected by a chain I54 with a sprocket wheel I55 fixed on shaft I33. The latter has splined thereon a pair of sprockets I50 connected by chains I51 with the sprockets I04 on the spindles projecting horizontally from the gear housings I03 for driving the folding arms, as described. An arm I51a depending from each folding frame has a forked lower end engaged in a groove in the hub of splined gear I56 to shift it along shaft I33 as the frame is adjusted toward or from the central guide rails 4 I.

The inner end of shaft I41 carries a crank arm I58 to which is connected a pitman I59 having its other end pivoted at IEO to a bracket I6I on a rock arm I82 having its lower end pivotally supported in a bearing I63 on the beam I5I. The upper end of the rock arm is pivoted at I64 to a rod I05 having its other end pivoted at I66 to a bracket arm I61 fixed on and depending from the blank pushing frame for continuously reciprocating the same as the arm I62 is rocked by crank I58 on the motor driven shaft I41.

The folding frames are preferably adjusted toward and from each other by means comprising a pair of electric motors I68 (Fig. 2) mounted on the underneath portion of the main frame adjacent its front or hopper end and each connected by gearing (not shown) with a short jack shaft I69 having fixed thereon a pulley driving a belt I10. The latter drives a pulley I1I fixed on a transversely extending, threaded shaft I12, corresponding to a shaft 85 at the rear end of the machine, for adjusting the folding frames. Each shaft I12 carries a sprocket (not shown) driving a chain I14 extending longitudinally of the machine and driving a sprocket I15 (Fig. 3) fixed on the shaft 86. It will be seen from this construction that on closing the circuit of motor I68, by any suitable switch means, the threaded shafts and I12 are rotated at the same speed for moving the opposite ends of the folding frame laterally. A similar but separate mechanism is provided for each of the folding frames, and each frame carries a pointer I16 (Fig. 1), moving over a transverse scale I11 adjacent the hopper. The switches controlling the motor I68 are preferably located adjacent the hopper so that the operator at that position can readily adjust the several hopper parts described above, as Well as the folding frames, to suit the particular size and shape of the blanks to be folded.

In operation, with the several hopper parts adjusted to the size and shape of the blanks to be folded and the gate fingers set to permit the passage of single blanks, the main driving motor is energized by a switch control (not shown) located adjacent the position of the operator at the hopper. The blank pusher frame is thereby set into continuous reciprocating movement and its dogs feed the lowermost blanks in the stack,

one after another, to the successive folding stations at which the side portions or flaps are first folded upwardly and then inwardly and downwardly on the intermediate portion of the blank. The final downward folding is accomplished at the second folding station, at which the edges of the flaps are folded down against the opposite sides of the squaring plate, to true their folded position, assisted by the squaring bars, which simultaneously press against the outsideof the lines of fold and confine the folding accurately to such lines. The latter bars then release the blank, and the pusher frame begins a rearward movement just before the edges of the blank are fully stripped from the squaring plate by the stripper bars. By such positive folding means, the blanks are precisely folded along the score lines, being ejected by the pusher frame for delivery to stitching or taping mechanism, for securing the folded flaps together.

.In Fig. is shown a modified construction of squaring plate in which the plate meansis constructed in spaced sections, H8 and H9, each adjustably supported as described above in connection with plate I65. The plates are spaced apart a sufficient distance to receive therebetween a'stitching lap I80 on a side portion or flap IBI so that it may overlie the opposite side portion 'or fiap I82 for stitching thereto, as well understood in the art. Stripping bars H4, operated by rods H5, are arranged to engage the opposite sides of the spaced plates I18 and I19, as described above in connection with the first modification. g

The invention provides a simple and practical machine in which the side portions of the blank arefolded by rotating arms while the blanks are stationary at successive folding stations and the blanks are accordingly pushed along their guidetaneously engage each flap at both its folding line and its edge, topositively insure precise folding alinement before the blank is delivered to tapin or stitching devices for securing the flaps, the machine being adapted to handle blanks intended for either the known taped or stitched lap type of construction. The machine is fully adjustable to a wide variety of sizes and shapes of blanks, the adjusting means being within convenient reach of the operator at the hopper end of the machine, including both the hopper adjustin means and the means for adjusting the folding frames toward and from the line of movement of the blanks. Such advantageous features provide a simple and practical type of machine having a high rate of production and a high degree of precision in the folding of the blanks.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects and while it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of preferred embodiments, it is to be-understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that various modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

10 I claim: 1. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a guideway on said frame on which the blanks are slidably movable from station to station, means for holding the blanks on said guideway, a blank pusher havin a reciprocating movement on said frame, a plurality of dogs movably mountedv on said pusher and normally positioned to pass under the blanks during movement of said pusher in one direction, means positioned to engage and raise said dogs at the end of movement in said direction for engaging and moving the blanks along said guideway from station to station during movement of said pusher in the other direction, means having a movement at one of said station to fold side portions of a blank upwardly While said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, means havin a movement at another of said stations to fold said side portionsinwardly and downwardly adjacent the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, and mechanism for operating said pusher and said folding means in timed coordination with one another.

2. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame havinga blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement on said frame, a plurality of dogs pivoted on said pusher for movement by gravity to position to pass under the blanks during movement of said pusher in one direction, spring means positioned on said frame to engage and raise said dogs at the end of movement in said direction for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station during movement of said pusher in the other direction,

means having a movement at one of said stations to fold side portions of a blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, means having a movement .at another of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly adjacent the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, and mechanism for operating said pusher and said folding means in timed coordination with one another.

said pusher in one direction, spring means positioned on said frame to engage and raise said dogs at the end of movement in said direction for engaging and moving the blanks along said guideway from station to station during movement of said pusher in theother direction, means having a movement at one of said stations to fold side portions of a blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, means having a movement at another of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly adjacent the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, and mechanism for operating said pusher and said folding means in timed coordination with one another.

4. A box blank folding machine comprising a.

main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement on said frame, means on said pusher for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station during movement of said pusher in one direction, a pair of folding frames movably mounted on said main frame for adjustment oppositely toward and from said pusher at each of said folding stations to accommodate blanks of difierent widths, means movably mounted on said folding frames at one of said stations to fold side portions of the blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, means movably mounted on said folding frames at another of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly toward the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, and mechanism for operating said pusher and said folding means in timed coordination with one another.

5. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement on said frame, means on said pusher for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station during movement of said pusher in one direction, a pair of folding frames movably mounted on said main frame for adjustment from opposite sides toward and from said pusher at each of said folding sta tions to accommodate blanks of different w.. -1s, a guideway on each of said folding frames having a presser shoe for holding the blank thereon, means movably mounted on each of said folding frames at one of said stations for folding side portions of the blank upwardly while said blank is stationaril positioned under pressor shoes at said station, means rotatably mounted on said folding frames at another of said stations for folding said side portions inwardly and downwardly toward the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, and mechanism for operating said pusher and said folding means in timed coordination with one another.

6. A box folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement on said frame, means on said pusher for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station during movement of said pusher in one direction, a pair of arms rotatably mounted at one of said stations to fold side portions of a blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, a pair of arms rotatably mounted at another of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly toward the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, and mechanism for re ciprocating said pusher and rotating said folding arms in timed coordination with one another.

'7. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement on said frame, means on said pusher for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station during movement of said pusher in one direction, a pair of folding frames movably mounted on said main frame for adjustment from opposite sides toward and from said pusher at each of said folding stations to accommodate blanks of different widths, a guidway on each of said folding frames having a presser shoe for holding the blanks thereon, a pair of arms rotatably mounted on said folding frames at oneof said stations to fold side portions of a blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, a pair of arms rotatably mounted on said folding frames at another of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly toward the body'portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, and mechanism for reciprocating said pusher and rot'atingsaid folding arms in timed coordination with each other.

8. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement on said frame, means on said pusher for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station during movement of 'said'pusherin one direction, means having a movement at one of said stations to fold side portions'of 'a blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, means having a movement at another of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly toward the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said otherstation, squaring plate means at said other station against which the edges of said side portions are folded from opposite sides for squaring the same, means for stripping said edge portions from said plate means, and mechanism for operating said pusher, folding means and stripping means in timed coordination with each other.

'9. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement on said frame, means on said pusher for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station during movement of said pusher in one direction, means having a movement at one of said stations to fold side portions of a blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, means'havi'ng-a movement at'ano'ther of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly toward the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, squaring plate means at said other station against which the edges of said side portions are folded from opposite sides, squaring 'bars movable to press said side portions at the line of fold thereof for squaring the same, and mechanism for operating said pusher, said folding means and said squaring bars in timed coordination w-ith one another.

10. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement on said frame, means on said pusher for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station during movement of said pusher in one direction, means having a movement at one of said stations to fold side portions 'of a blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, means having a movement at another of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly toward'the body portion of the blank while sa'id blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, vertical squaring means at said other station against which the edges of said side portions are folded from opposite sides, squaring bars movable against said side portions at the line of fold thereof to square the same, stripper bars for stripping said edges from said plate means, and mechanism for operating said pusher, folding means and squaring and stripper bars in timed coordination with one another.

11. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and. a plurality of blank folding stations, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement on said frame, means on said pusher for engaging'and moving the blanks from station to station during movement of said pusher in one direction, rotary arms of substantially spiral shape at one of said stations for folding side portions of a blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, rotary arms of substantially spiral shape at another of said stations for folding said side portions inwardly and downwardly toward the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, vertical plate means at said other station against which the edges of said side portions are folded from opposite sides, squaring bars movable against said side portions at the line of fold thereof to square the same, and stripper bars for stripping said side portions from said plate means.

12. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement on said frame, means on said pusher for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station during movement of said pusher in one direction, means having a movement at one of said stations to fold side portions of a blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, means having a movement at another of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly toward the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, squaring plate means against which the edges of said side portions are folded from opposite sides, squaring bars movable against said side portions at the line of fold thereof to square the same, stripper bars for stripping the edges of said side portions from said plate means, and mechanism for moving said stripper bars to strip said side portions from'said plate means during discharge movement thereof by said carrier.

13. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement on said frame, means on said pusher for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station during movement of said pusher in one direction, means having a movement at one of said stations to fold side portions of a blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, means having a movement at another of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly toward the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, sectional plate means against which the edges of said side portions are folded from opposite sides to square the folding thereof, said plate means having sections supported on said frame for relative adjustment toward and from each other longitudinally of the path of movement of said blanks for the reception between said sections of a stitching lap on one of said blank side portion edges, stripper bars for stripping the edges of said side portions from said plate means, and mechanism for recipro- I4 eating said pusher and moving said folding means and stripping bars in timed coordination with one another.

14. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame provided with hopper means having a beam mounted transversely on said frame for adjustment longitudinally thereof, gate means adjustable in height on said beam to retain a stack of blanks in said hopper means except the lowermost blank of said stack, side walls for said hopper means adjustable lengthwise of said beam, a plurality of blank folding stations on said frame, a blank pusher having a reciprooating movement on said frame between said hop" per means and folding stations, means on said pusher for engaging and moving the blanks during movement of said pusher in one direction, movably mounted means at said folding stations for folding side portions of a blank upwardly, inwardly and downwardly against the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said stations, and mechanism for reciprocating said pusher and moving said folding means in timed coordination with one another.

15. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame provided with hopper means having a beam mounted transversely on said frame for adjustment longitudinally thereof, gate means adjustable in height on said beam in accordance with the thickness of the blanks for retaining the blanks above the lowermost thereof in said hopper means, a plurality of blank folding stations, a guideway on said frame on which the blanks are slidably movable from said hopper means to said folding stations, presser shoe means carried by said adjustable gate means for holding the blanks on said guideway, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement between said hopper means and folding stations, means on said pusher for engaging and moving the blanks along said guideway during movement of said pusher in one direction, movably mounted means at said folding stations to fold side portions of av blank upwardly, inwardly and downwardly against the body portion of the blank while saidl blank is stationarily positioned at said stations, and mechanism for reciprocating said pusher and, moving said folding means in timed coordination with one another.

16. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame provided with hopper means provided with a beam mounted transversely on said frame for adjustment longitudinally thereof, hopper side walls adjustable lengthwise of said beam, a pair of folding frames movably mounted on said main frame for adjustment toward and from each other transversely of said main frame, scale pointer means adjacent said hopper means for indicating the adjustments of said hopper side walls and folding frames, a plurality of blank folding stations on said folding frames, a blank pusher having a reciprocating movement between said hopper means and folding stations, means on said pusher for engaging and moving the blanks during movement of said pusher in one direction, means movably mounted on said folding frames for folding side portions of the blank upwardly, inwardly and downwardly against the body portion thereof while said blank is stationarily positioned at said folding stations, and mechanism for reciprocating said pusher and moving said folding means in timed coordination with one another.

17. A box blank folding machine comprising a frame having a guideway and a folding station thereon, an upright squaring par ition extending along said guideway intermediate the sides of said station with its lower edge spaced above said guideway, means for feeding blanks successively along said guideway to said station under said edge of said partition, means for folding side portions of a blank inwardly and downwardly about the fold lines therein to press the free edges thereof against opposite sides of said squaring partition, respectively, while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, a squaring bar for pressing inwardly against the outer side of the fold of each of said portions while the free edge of said portion is pressed. against said partition to guidesaid portion to accurately folded position and confine the folding thereof accurately to said fold line, and mechanism for actuating said feeding means, folding means and squaring bars in timed coordination with one another.

18. A box blank folding machine comprising a frame having a guideway and a folding station thereon, an upright squaring partition extending along said guideway intermediate the sides of said station with its lower edge spaced above said guideway, means for feeding blanks successively along said guideway to said station under said edge of said partition, means for folding side portions of a blank inwardly and downwardly about folding lines therein to press the free edges thereof against opposite sides of said partition, respectively, while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, a stripper movable along the sides of said partition for pressing said blank edges downwardly and under said partition edge, a squaring bar for pressing inwardly against the outer side of the fold of each of said side portions while the free edge of said portion is pressed against said partition to guide said portion to accurately folded position and confine the folding thereof accurately to said fold line, and mechanism for actuating said feeding means, folding means, stripper and squaring bars in timed coordination with one another.

19. A box blankfolding machine comprising a frame having a guideway and a folding station thereon, an upright squaring partition extending along said guideway intermediate the sides of said station with its lower edge spaced above said guideway, reciprocating means for feeding blanks successively along said guideway and locating the same stationarily at said station under said edge of said partition, means for folding side portions of a blank inwardly and downwardly about folding lines therein to press the free edges thereof against opposite sides of said squaring partition, respectively, while said blank is stationarily located at said station, a squaring bar for pressing inwardly against the outer side of the fold of each of said side portions while the free edge of said portion is pressed against said partition to guide said portion to accurately folded position overlying the body of said blank and confine the folding thereof accurately to said fold line, and mechanism for actuating said feeding means, folding means and squaring bars in timed coordination with one another.

20. A box blank folding machine comprising a frame having a guideway and a folding station thereon, an upright squaring partition extending along said guideway intermediate the sides of said station with its lower edge spaced above said guideway, means for feeding blanks successively along said guideway to said station under said edge of said partition, curved arm means for folding side portions of a blank inwardly and downwardly about the fold lines thereof to press the free edges thereof against opposite sides of said squaring partition, respectively, while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, means for continuously rotating each of said arm means in the same direction, a stripper movable along the sides of said partition for pressing said blank. edges downwardly and under said partition edge, a squaring bar for pressing inwardly against the outer side of the fold of each of said side portions while the free edge of said portion is pressed against said partition to guide said portion to accurately folded position and confine the folding thereof accurately to said fold line, and mechanism for actuating said feeding means, arm means, stripper means and squaring bars in timed coordination with one another.

21. A box blank folding machine comprising a frame having a. guideway and a folding station thereon, an upright squaring partition extending along said guideway intermediate the sides of iii said station with its lower edge spaced above said guideway, reciprocating means for feeding a blank successively along said guideway to locate the same stationarily at said station under said edge of said partition, means for folding side portions of a blank inwardly and downwardly about the folding lines therein to press the free edges thereof against opposite sides of said squaring partition, respectively, while said blank is stationarily located at said stat-ion, a stripper movable along the sides of said partition for pressing said blank edges downwardly and under said partition edge, a squaring bar for pressing the outer side of the fold of each of said side portions while the free edge of said portion is pressed against said partition to guide said portion to accurately folded position and confine the folding thereof accurately tosaid fold line, and mechanism for actuating said feeding means, folding means, stripper and squaring bars in timed coordination with one another.

22. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, blank feeding means having a reciprocating movement on said frame andprovided with means for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station, a pair of folding frames movably mounted on said main frame for adjustment oppositely toward and from said feeding means at each of said folding stations to accommodate blanks of different widths, means on said folding frames at one of said stations for folding side portions of the blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, arms rotatably mounted on said folding frames at another of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly adjacent the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, means for continuously rotating said arms, squaring plate means at said other station against which the edges of said side portions are folded from opposite sides, and mechanism for operating said feeding means and folding arms in timed coordination with one another.

23. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a. blank feeding means having a reciprocating movement on said frame and provided with means for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station, means at one of said stations for foldin side portions of a blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, a pair of arms rotatably mounted at another of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly adjacent the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, means for continuously rotating said folding arms, and mechanism for reciprocating said feeding means and rotating said folding arms in timed coordination with one another.

24. A box blank folding machine comprising a main frame having a blank receiving station and a plurality of blank folding stations, a blank feeding means having a reciprocating movement on said frame and provided with means for engaging and moving the blanks from station to station, means at one of said stations for folding side portions of a blank upwardly while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, a pair of arms rotatably mounted at another of said stations to fold said side portions inwardly and downwardly adjacent the body portion of the blank while said blank is stationarily positioned at said other station, means for continuously rotating said folding arms, squaring plate means at said other station against which the edges of said side portions are folded from opposite sides, and mechanism for operating said feeding means and rotating said folding arms in timed coordination with one another.

" 25. A box blank folding machine comprising a frame havin a guideway and a folding station thereon, an upright squaring partition extending along said guideway intermediate the sides of said station with its lower edge spaced above said guideway, means for feeding blanks successively along said guideway to said station under said edge of said partition, means for folding side portions of a blank inwardly and downwardly about the fold lines therein to press the free edges thereof against opposite sides of said squaring partition, respectively, while said blank is stationarily positioned at said station, means for engaging and holding the outer side of the fold of each of said portions while the free edge of said portion is pressed against said partition to guide said portion to accurately folded position and confine the folding thereof accurately to said fold line, and mechanism for actuating said feeding means and folding means in timed coordination with one another.

WILBER E. BOWERSOCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 643,843 Hesser Feb. 20, 1900 1,936,338 Simmons Nov. 21, 1933 1,923,121 Simmons Aug. 22, 1933 2,029,394 Sidebotham Feb. 4, 1936 2,083,351 Sidebotham June 8, 1937 2,169,311 Widell Aug. 15, 1939 

